This week’s guest reporter: Justin DeFront

One of those beloved Friday night matches which are not favourite with players and spectators alike but we crossed the border to old adversaries Scouts on a cold and damp evening for the latest league encounter. Over the last few seasons it seems our opponents have just had the better of results in these fixtures but hopefully this will change with the young squad travelling this evening. A last we have news from our favourite single man as he reveals his latest girlfriend is actually a ghost. He knew as soon as she walked through the door. Also when a large number of customers with sore rashes gathered in the Swan, they told the locals they were on a shingles night.

There must have been better places to be than by the side of a muddy pitch on a wet Friday in January but a few hardy souls braved the conditions to cheer on the boys in cerise and French grey. Olney got off to a good start and were first to score points when try machine Henry the horse Warren was the final link in a fine spell of pressure and sped over in the corner. Conditions not being in anyone’s favour and the ball as slippery as a box of slippery things, mistakes were inevitable but Scouts worked their way back into the game through some good close play by their considerably larger forwards. Driving hard at the Olney defence they eventually found a gap for their first try. Strength in the contact and some neat offloading saw them score another on the half hour mark. Olney were having their fair share of the attacks but a couple of unfortunate errors 5m from the line allowed Scouts to clear any danger. A successful penalty shot at goal was the only other score of the half taking the tally to 17-5 in favour of the home side.

The wind seemed to abate somewhat after half time but the pattern of the game stayed fairly constant with Scouts forwards doing the hard yards and having the upper hand at the set piece. Reward came with a try down the left flank to increase their lead. Despite losing 3 players due to head injuries, Olney’s young side stuck to what they do best and sustained pressure in the 22 allowed Harvey Dench to power through a few tackles to add his name to the score sheet. A quick tapped penalty with the support close by gave Scouts their bonus point try followed shortly after by another from a lineout 20m out. Both converted to give them a 36-10 lead. Olney still had a fight left in them as ever though and more steady pressure reaped rewards with Callum Earl crashing over from 40m carrying 6 Scouts players on his back. Some good work by Joe German who showed considerable strength to hang on to the ball then produce an offload for Denchy to carry on the move eventually resulted in Warren adding his second of the evening. This being the last significant action the final score stood at 36-22.

Olney came away with a bonus point which in all honesty could have been more if the errors due to the conditions had not occurred, but then again it was the same for both sides. Things look promising for the rest of the season even though there are a few injuries and Olney will look to finish higher up the table than they are at present. The referees don’t often get a mention but this evening’s referee should certainly get one for doing his job very well.

We heard recently that in the Harris household one of the dogs ate a cushion off the sofa. Mr Harris came home and asked on the condition of said animal only to be told it was comfortable. The latest revelation from the things you didn’t know about Steve Howson is that he speaks several languages and was, in fact, translator for former Prime Minister John Major on many of his trips to Europe.

No Pics from the match so it's one of Josh doing what Josh does best at last season's Alliance Cup final